Tobacco priming device



May 13, 1958 c. w. suess ETAL TOBACCO PRIMI NG DEVICE Filed 001;. 24,1955 INVENTORS CHARLES w. suses,

ROBERT w. WILSON ATTORNEYS TOBACCO PRIMING DEVICE Charles W. Suggs,Raleigh, and Robert W. Wilson, Charlotte, N. C., assignors to ResearchCorporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationOctober 24, 1955, Serial No. 542,356

Claims. (Cl. 56-27.5)

This invention relates to tobacco harvesters and, more particularly, toa device for printing tobacco plants having an improved defoliatingmechanism incorporated therein. This invention is an improvement uponthe invention disclosed in co-pending application Serial No.

444,813, filed July 21, 1954, by Robert W. Wilson and now Patent2,816,411.

The above-mentioned application discloses a tobacco priming deviceincorporating a defoliating mechanism capable of imparting downwardimpact blows to the tobacco leaves at a point adjacent their connectionwith the stalks as the device is moved along a row of tobacco plants.One difiiculty encountered in this impact defoliating mechanism is thatthe tobacco leaves on some occasions are not completely separated fromtheir stalks, the blow merely acting to deflect the leaf downwardly fromthe stalk so that it hangs to the stalk by tissue at the underside ofthe leaf at its connection with the stalk. It has been found that thisdisadvantage may be overcome by imparting a substantial wiping action tothe leaves at a point adjacent their connection to the stalks, suchwiping action insuring complete removal of the leaves.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved defoliating mechanism which is operable to remove the leavesfrom a tobacco plant with a wiping action so as to insure completeremoval thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of anovel defoliating member which is simple in construction, easy tooperate, and economical to manufacture and maintain.

These and other objects of the present invention will become moreapparent during the course of the following detailed description anddrawings.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a tobacco primingdevice embodying the principles of the present invention and showing thesame in its normal operative position along a row of tobacco plants;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the defoliating members;and

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 ofFigure 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown inFigure 1 a tobacco plant priming device, generally indicated at 10,embodying the principles of the present invention. In general, the novelaspect of the device is concerned mainly with the defoliating mechanismincorporated therein, and, more particularly, to the individualdefoliating members thereof.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tobacco plant priming device is adaptedto be moved along a row of tobacco plants with the defoliating mechanismdisposed in up- 2,834,174 Patented May 13, 1958 wardly and forwardlyinclined relation, so that the forward end thereof will initially engagethe plants at the uppermost position of a vertical swath to be removedtherefrom. As the device proceeds along the row, the defoliatingmechanism will operate to remove the leaves within the swath from top tobottom. Preferably, the defoliating mechanism comprises a pair ofopposed horizontally spaced defoliating members, generally designated at12. These members are preferably identical, except for such changes asare necessary to make the same face in opposite directions. Stateddifferently, the two defoliating members are substantial mirror imagesof each other and, hence, a description of one should sufiice todescribe both. It will be understood, however, that the individual unitsare not restricted in their use to the combination illustrated, but maybe utilized with other units imparting a similar or different action.

As best shown in Figure 3, the defoliating member 12 comprises alongitudinally extending shaft 14 which, in operation, is disposed in anupwardly and forwardly inclined position, preferably around 20'' fromthe horizontal. Secured on the shaft in any suitable manner, is a leafengaging element 16, preferably of a resilient material, such as rubber,plastic or the like. This resilient leaf engaging element includes ahollow hub portion 18 through which the shaft 14 extends, and a pair ofoppositely directed radially extending webs 20 disposed in the helicalarrangement about the shaft 14. The resilient element 16 is preferablyinitially extruded or otherwise formed in a fiat endless strip and thencut to proper length. The helical formation or twist of the webs 20 ispreferably provided when the resilient element is secured to the shaftby fastening opposite ends of the element to the shaft, as by bolts 21or the like (see Figure 3), after appropriate twist has been given tothe element. In this manner, the defoliating member of the presentinvention is susceptible to economical manufacture.

As best shown in Figure 4, each web 20 is relatively narrow at itsconnection with the hub portion and tapers gradually outwardly. The web20 then termintes in an inwardly tapered outer edge 23 of a substantialV-shaped configuration in cross-section. This construction renders thewebs sufficiently flexible to deflect inwardly upon engagement with atobacco stalk so as to substantially surround the same. In this manner,the webs will contact substantially all of the leaves within the swathto be removed. In practice, it has been found that best results areobtained if the radial extent of the webs are substantially equal to thediameter of the hub portion with a slight overlapping with respect toeach other as shown in Figure -4. In addition, in normal operation it ispreferred that the pitch of the helix of the webs is approximately tworevolutions for every yard. While the particular shape and relationshipof the webs as outlined above is preferred, it will be understood thatother web shapes and pitches may be utilized.

As was briefly mentioned above, the defoliating members are adapted tobe utilized in pairs which have opposite pitches with respect to eachother. The two defoliating members may be mounted in horizontally spacedrelation by any suitable means so as to be moved along a row of tobaccoplants, preferably by a vehicle sufiicient to clear the tobacco plantsso as to minimize damage thereto. One such vehicle is disclosed in theaforesaid application and it will be understood that the defoliatingmechanism of the present invention may be propelled by this vehicle andthat the leaves removed thereby may be handled by a conveyor system,such as illustrated in connection with the vehicle. It will also beunderstood that the defoliating mechanism of the present invention maybe propelled by' other means, such as a conventional farm tractor or thelike. For example, in Figure 1 there is illustrated the conventionalparallel links 22 of a tractor, the free ends of which are pivotallyconnected to a vertical plate 24 of circular configuration. If desired,slots or additional pivot holes 26 are provided in the plate 24 toenable the associated defoliating member to be mounted in any one of aplurality of angularly adjusted positions.

Each of the defoliating members 16 is journalled within a generallyU-shaped frame 28 rigidly secured intermediate its ends to themid-portion of an associated plate 24. Each frame 28 includes anelongated longitudinal frame member 30 having a pair of parallel endframe members 32 extending laterally from the opposite endsthereof. Theshaft 14 of the associate defoliating member is suitably journalledwithin the end members 32 and rotary motion is imparted to thedefoliating member from a suitable source on the propelling vehiclethrough any appropriate means, such as flexible shaft 38.

It will be understood that suitable leaf deflecting means may beprovided on the frame to minimize damage to the leaves which are not tobe removed. For example, in Figure 2 there is shown a generally V-shapedguiding element 50 secured to the forward end of the frame which servesto direct the stalks between the cooperating defoliating members. Ofcourse, other suitable shielding and deflecting means may be provided ifdesired.

In operation, the tobacco priming device is moved along a row of tobaccoplants by a suitable propelling vehicle (not shown) so that the devicewill engage the plants throughout a vertical swath to thereby remove theleaves on the stalks disposed therein. The stalks are directed betweenthe cooperating defoliating members by the guide elements 40 and withthe two defoliating members rotating in opposite directions, the webs 20thereof will engage the stalks with a downward wiping action plus someimpact due to the speed of rotation. Moreover, the defoliating membersserve as screws which aid in feeding the stalks therebetween. As brieflymentioned above, the construction of the webs is such that engagement ofthe stalks therewith will cause inward deflection of the same so thatthey will substantially surround the stalk and contact substantially allof the leaves adjacent thereto. It must be borne in mind that the leavesof a tobacco plant extend outwardly from the stalk in substantiallyspiral formation so that in order to insure that all of the leaves in agiven vertical swath will be removed, it is necessary to providecooperating defoliating members which engage the plants from both sides.

As shown in Figure 2, it is preferable to dispose the webs of the twodefoliating members so that when the webs of one are extendingvertically in a given transverse plane, the webs of the other willextend horizontally in the same transverse plane. In this manner, thewebs cooperate so as to apply an even pressure during the passage of thestalk therethrough. In other words, it is preferable to offset theadjacent crest of the webs so that two crests will never be inengagement with the stalk at the same time. However, while thisrelationship is pre ferred, it is by no means critical and appliesmainly to the particular embodiment disclosed wherein each defoliatingmember includes a pair of webs spaced 180 apart. It will be understoodthat each defoliating member may include only a single web or may beprovided with three or more webs.

By virtue of the fact that the webs are continuous throughout thelongitudinal extent of the defoliating member, they will engage theleaves adjacent their connection with the stalk with a smooth,continuous action so as to push or rub the leaves free from the stalk.Hence, this action may be referred to as a wiping action and in thismanner the complete removal of the leaves from the stalk is insured. Ofcourse, there will be some impact to the leaves upon the initialengagement of the web therewith due to their rotational speed, but theoverall leaf removing function of the defoliating members isaccomplished by a wiping action.

It has been found that with the use of the defoliating members of thepresent invention, leaf damage is reduced to a minimum. For example,tests of the present mechanism show that the total leaf damage both tothe leaves within the swath and others above and below the same, isapproximately 5.1%. These tests were conducted during the morning, whichis the most advantageous to harvest tobacco leaves as is well known inthe art. The defoliating members were rotated at a preferred speed ofapproximately 425 R. P. M. and the propelling vehicle moved with apreferred ground speed of approximately 1 /2 M. P. H. Considering thatany leaves within the swath which were not completely removed werecounted as being damaged, the 5.1% figure appears to be quite favorable.Of course, leaf damage varies in accordance with the position of theleaves on the stalk with respect to the direction of travel of thevehicle or the direction or extent of the tobacco row. The greatestdamage occurs in those leaves that extend forwardly in the direction oftravel within a 60 range. The least damage occurs in the leaves thatextend generally rearwardiy with the transversely extending leaves beingdamaged slightly less than average.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fullyand effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that theforegoing specific embodiment has been shown and described only for thepurpose of illustrating the principles of this invention and is subjectto extensive change without departure from such principles. Therefore,this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spiritand scope of the following claims. a

We claim:

1. A tobacco plant priming device comprising frame means movable along arow of tobacco plants, a pair of elongated defoliating members mountedon said frame means for rotation about horizontally spaced upwardly andforwardly inclined axes, each of said defoliating members includingresilient web means disposed outwardly from its associated axis andextending substantially throughout the longitudinal extent of theassociated member, and means operatively associated with saiddefoliating members for rapidly rotating the same in opposite directionsduring the movement of said frame means so that said web means will bedeflected by the engagement of the tobacco stalks therewith to therebycontact the leaves adjacent their stalks and remove them with a downwardwiping action.

2. A tobacco plant priming device for removing a vertical swath ofleaves from a tobacco stalk comprising frame means movable along a rowof tobacco plants, a pair of upwardly and forwardly inclined shaftsjournalled on said frame means in horizontally spaced relation, meansoperatively associated with said shafts for rapidly rotating the same inopposite directions, a pair of resilient defoliating members secured tosaid shafts for rotation therewith in opposite directions, saiddefoliating members being spaced apart horizontally so as to engage arow of tobacco plants on opposite sides thereof to thereby impart adownward wiping action to the leaves thereof adjacent their connectionsto the stalks, each of said defoliating members including a hub portionhaving a pair of oppositely directed webs extending radially outwardlytherefrom, the hub portion of each of said members having a hollowinterior for receiving the associated shaft and being fixed thereto withits webs disposed in helical arrangement about said shaft.

3. Apparatus for priming tobacco plants having stalks and leavesextending outwardly therefrom comprising frame means movable along a rowof such tobacco plants, a pair of closely spaced means carried by saidframe means for engaging the plants adjacent their stalks on oppositesides thereof as the frame means is moved therealong, at least one ofsaid means comprising resilient web means having outer extremitiesmovable in an endless path for delivering to substantially all of theleaves engaged thereby a downward wiping action adjacent the connectionof the leaves with their stalks, and means operatively associated withsaid resilient web means for rapidly moving the latter in a generallydownward path adjacent the stalks as said frame means is moved along therow of plants.

4. Apparatus for priming tobacco plants having stalks and leavesextending outwardly therefrom comprising a frame movable along a row ofsuch tobacco plants, a pair of closely spaced means carried by saidframe for engaging the plants adjacent their stalks on opposite sidesthereof as the frame is moved therealong, at least one of said meanscomprising an elongated defoliating member mounted on said frame forrotation about an upwardly and forwardly inclined axis, said defoliatingmember including a pair of resilient tobacco plant engaging websdisposed in helical arrangement about said axis of rotation andoperable, during the rotation of said defoliating member and themovement of said frame, to be deflected inwardly by the engagement ofthe tobacco stalks therewith so as to contact the leaves extendingtoward and generally parallel thereto and remove them with a downwardwiping action, said webs being displaced circumferentially approximately180 from'each other and being otherwise substantially identical, andmeans operatively connected with said defoliating member for rapidlyrotating the same.

5. Apparatus for priming tobacco plants having stalks and leavesextending outwardly therefrom, a frame movable along a row of suchtobacco plants, a pair of closely spaced means carried by said frame forengaging the plants adjacent their stalks on opposite sides thereof asthe frame is moved therealong, at least one of said means comprising anelongated defoliating member mounted on said frame for rotation about anupwardly and forwardly inclined axis, said defoliating member includingReferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,769,104 Benjamin July 1, 1930 2,235,052 Trier a Mar. 18, 19412,635,408 Cox Apr. 21, 1953 2,669,822 Kinne Feb. 23, 1954 2,701,437Richey et a1. Feb. 8, 1955 2,742,139 Smallegan Apr. 17, 1956

